Edmonton Oilers News: Pro Sports Daily

February 10

Edmonton Sun

"It was a good return for Magnus Paajarvi. A step in the right direction. The Edmonton Oilers winger, who has struggled this season and has twice been sent to the minors, had a solid first game back, picking up an assist Wednesday in Detroit. "I felt good, I got a lot of shifts," Paajarvi said. "I wanted to be a little greasier, battle a bit more and I think that helped me. It was better than the last games I've played here.""

Oilers' Jones taking game to next level

February 10

Edmonton Sun

"Ryan Jones is one of the most cordial players in the Edmonton Oilers locker-room. His honest approach and ardent work ethic make him a fan favourite. And on Wednesday, the Oilers winger showcased a tougher side, as he took on Detroit Red Wings winger Justin Abdelkader in a fight. Abdelkader challenged Jones after he had belted Red Wings defenceman Ian White at centre ice. "I just thought he was coming after me after the hit, so I wasn't waiting," Jones said following the contest. "I had a couple of fights last year, they're few and far between, but I think I can handle myself.""

Jekyll and Hyde Oilers baffled by abysmal road record

February 10

Edmonton Journal

"The difference between the two records is so drastic that Ryan Jones said there couldn't be anything more to it than the Edmonton Oilers just being "junk" away from Rexall Place. There wasn't an argument to be made. The Oilers are an abysmal 6-20-2 on the road this season, compared to 15-8-3 on home ice. Between Nov. 26 and Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit, they have won just one of their 16 road games. In the 28 games played away from Rexall, they have scored a mere 64 goals, 12 fewer than they've scored on home ice. On the road, they've surrendered 92 goals, 26 more than they've given up at home."

Renney back behind Oilers bench

February 9

Edmonton Sun

"Tom Renney made a return to the Edmonton Oilers bench Wednesday after taking one for the team two days earlier. The Oilers head coach was hit with a puck during the morning skate Monday in Toronto and was forced to miss the game that night against the Maple Leafs. Renney also skipped Tuesday's practice at the Joe Louis Arena in preparation for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. "I'm good, I'm ready to go," Renney said prior to the game. "It wasn't that scary, I didn't have much of an idea of what happen, other than I got hit with a puck. It was all good, it hit me in the head, so how bad could it be?""

Paajarvi rejoins Oilers

February 9

Edmonton Sun

"Magnus Paajarvi got another opportunity to make a better impression. The winger was back in the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings, recalled the day before to take Ryan Nugent-Hopkins spot on the roster. Paajarvi, 20, started the season with the Oilers but has twice been sent down to play with the Oklahoma City Barons to look for his game. "I'm glad to be back here and I just want to make an impact and be a lot better than I've been," Paajarvi said prior to the contest. "I want to show myself and others that I can play good hockey. I've done it before, and I really want to be better.""

Red Wings remain dominant at home, dispatch Oilers 4-2

February 9

Edmonton Journal

"A long list of teams preceded the Edmonton Oilers to the losing end of the scoreboard at Joe Louis Arena. Not since the Detroit Red Wings were defeated 4-1 by the Calgary Flames back on Nov. 3 had they lost a home game, and now they need just three more victories to supplant the 1929-30 Boston Bruins and 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers as the record holders. The trouble was the Oilers didn't even make it a fair fight. Detroit just rolled right over a disengaged Edmonton squad on Wednesday night, scoring a 4-2 victory while stretching their streak to 18 consecutive home victories."

Oilers enjoy enduring bond with Joey Moss

February 9

Edmonton Journal

"His face crinkled into a smile as he neared his destination. His pace quickened, his patience waned. Joey Moss had been waiting weeks to catch up with Andrew Cogliano. Moss's old pal had been yanked out of his world and traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Anaheim Ducks in the off-season, breaking a bond first forged in 2007. But Moss wasn't the only one itching to reconnect, Cogliano was just as anxious."

Eberle on a tear

February 8

Edmonton Sun

"Sam Gagner may have gotten all the attention last week, but it's hard not to notice the run Jordan Eberle is putting together. Another two-goal performance Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs gave the sophomore sensation six goals in a span of just over a week. He has team-leading 24 on the season heading into Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings and is on pace to break the 35-goal plateau. "He's just has a really good feel around the net, and he's got such good timing, that whenever he's around the net there's never anyone really around him to try and get the puck off him," said Oilers winger Taylor Hall. "I think we can all, as hockey players, learn something from that. He's"

Renney misses practice

February 8

Edmonton Sun

"Will Edmonton Oilers head coach Tom Renney have to pass his own U-test to return to the bench? Renney missed practice Tuesday after taking a puck to the head the day before during the team's morning skate. "I'm sure there's a huge campaign going on in there (dressing room) for that," smiled Oilers associate coach Ralph Krueger. "But more than anything, we want him healthy as quickly as possible.""

Eberle setting pace to pass 30-goal barrier

February 8

Edmonton Journal

"While thunder-stealer Sam Gagner was banking points at a record-setting pace, Jordan Eberle was doing some nifty work of his own for the Edmonton Oilers. He still is actually. Eberle scored twice in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, upping his goal tally to 24. He heads into tonight's game against the Detroit Red Wings with six goals in the last four games and with 29 games still to be played, the sophomore is poised to become the club's third 30-goal scorer in nine seasons."

Nugent-Hopkins back in medical room

February 8

Edmonton Journal

"After returning for just two games, Edmonton Oilers rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is back on the shelf with a sprained left shoulder. He will be out seven to 10 days. It is the same shoulder that Nugent-Hopkins first injured on Jan. 2 when he fell into the boards in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. "It's the same area, same shoulder, but a new thing on top," Nugent-Hopkins said on Tuesday. "Compared to the first one, it's not even close … so hopefully I can get back sooner, rather than later.""

Oilers lose Nugent-Hopkins for up to 10 days

February 7

Edmonton Journal

"After returning for just two games, Edmonton Oilers rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is back on the shelf. The team announced on Tuesday that he'll be out seven to 10 days with a sprained left shoulder. It is the same shoulder that he first injured on Jan. 2 when he fell into the boards in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. "It's the same shoulder but a different injury," said Nugent-Hopkins. "It's not close to my first shoulder injury. I could feel it as soon as I got hit — my shoulder kind of dropped."

Gilbert back in lineup

February 7

Edmonton Sun

"Tom Gilbert was back in the lineup Monday in the Oilers 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers defenceman has been out since Jan. 2 after being driven into the end boards by Chicago Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo. Gilbert injured his ankle and knee on the play and missed 14 games in the process. "It's been a long five weeks," said Gilbert, prior to the contest. "This has been the longest five weeks in my career, I think. This is definitely a new experience for me."

Injury bug hits Renney, Nugent-Hopkins

February 7

Edmonton Journal

"Just when the Edmonton Oilers finally had a full roster of players to draw from, head coach Tom Renney was held out of a game. The full lineup didn't last long either. Before Monday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was over, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was back in the medical room. The Oilers star rookie, who had missed 13 games with a left shoulder injury, took a hit from Toronto's Mike Brown early in the third and did not return. He aggravated the same shoulder that he injured on Jan. 2 when he fell into the boards in a game against the Blackhawks in Chicago."

Leafs blast Oilers 6-3, Jets next

February 7

Toronto Sun

"If Phil Kessel keeps feasting on Canadian opponents like this, the next two weeks stand to be a virtual buffet for the gifted winger and his Maple Leafs. After lighting up the Ottawa Senators for a goal and two assists in a 5-0 drubbing in the nation's capital on Saturday, Kessel followed up that performance with another three- point night in the Leafs' 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night. In just a 48-hour span, Kessel produced a total of six points in back-to-back games against Canadian teams. Given the Leafs' coming schedule, he'll have plenty of opportunity to keep up that pace."

Gagner named NHL first star of the week

February 6

Edmonton Journal

"Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner's 11 point explosion in his last two games has earned him the NHL's first star of the week honours. Gagner will again play between Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle in the game against the Leafs. Gagner's week was capped by his hard-to-fathom part in 11 consecutive ponts for the Oilers — a new franchise record. He had eight points against the Chicago Blackhawks then another three points in Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings."

Oilers' coach Renney needs stitches after puck hits head

February 6

Edmonton Journal

"Just when the Edmonton Oilers have a full roster of players, their head coach, Tom Renney, is pelted with a puck. Renney was hit in the head soon after the morning skate got underway Monday at the Air Canada Centre and never did see the end of practice. He required stitches and a trip to a local doctor to ensure that he wasn't concussed. "I feel horrible," said defenceman Ladislav Smid, who inadvertently deflected the shot that hit Renney. "Talk about bad luck." Associate coach Ralph Krueger expects that Renney will be behind the bench Monday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Oilers face off."

Make or break trip for Oilers

February 6

Edmonton Sun

"Right now the Edmonton Oilers are playing for a chance to pretend they're still alive. That's it. Put together a great road trip, take four or five points out of Toronto, Detroit and Ottawa, and when they return home they can pretend it's not too late to plunge their season out of the drainpipe. It'll take about 8-2 in their next 10 before their situation moves from delusion to faint hope, and 16-4 to go from faint hope to half a chance, but that's looking too far ahead. Right now, their ability to even fantasize about a playoff charge hinges on this three-game, eastern swing."

Oilers Gilbert suits up Vs. Leafs

February 6

Edmonton Sun

"Tom Gilbert will be back in the lineup as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday in the first of a three-game road trip. The Oilers defenceman has been out since Jan. 2 after being driven into the end boards by Chicago Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo. Gilbert injured his ankle and knee on the play. "It's been a long five weeks," said Gilbert. "This has been the longest five weeks in my career, I think. This is definitely a new experience for me. "I think the best way to ease my way back after an injury is just to go out there and play. That's the only way you can get comfortable again, get back into the game, get back into the pace. You know you're going to be a"

Edmonton's Sam Gagner brings high-scoring act to Toronto

February 6

Toronto Star

"Leafs defenceman Cody Franson had a notion of Sam Gagner's potential back in 2007, when they were teammates for Canada at the world junior championship in Sweden. Most hockey fans will remember that WJC for Jonathan Toews' amazing display in the shootout. Gagner's impact was less dramatic, but his notoriety has forever changed over the past four days. "He's on fire now, and good for him," Franson said of Gagner, who has 11 points in his last two games — an offensive explosion unheard of since Wayne Gretzky's heyday in Edmonton. The Oilers are in town to face the Leafs Monday night. "It's quite the thing to accomplish. We have to do a good job taking away his time and space.""

Gagner continues to impress in win over Red Wings

February 5

Edmonton Journal

"Even the encore was impressive. Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner, who left Rexall Place on Thursday night with an eye-popping eight points, racked up another three points in the first period of a 5-4 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings at Rexall Place on Saturday. The Oilers built a 3-1 first period lead, gave up three straight goals in the third then headed to overtime on Jordan Eberle's second goal of the night. He scored at 19:21 — the only goal Gagner hadn't had a hand since Thursday. Gagner and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored in the six-round shootout. Todd Bertuzzi, who scored twice for Detroit, was the only Red Wing to beat Devan Dubnyk in the skills contest. The Oilers are now"

Suddenly, Oilers are fun again

February 5

Edmonton Sun

"In the end, it was Ryan Nugent-Hockey Night In Canada. In his first eight games on HNIC, Nugent-Hopkins produced a dozen points. Last night, in a shootout against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored the winner. But until the moment Jordan Eberle sent the game to overtime with his second goal of the game with 39 seconds remaining in regulation, unbelievably, the night belonged to Sam Gagner. Again. Logic insisted that Gagner's four-goal, four-assist, eight-point night Thursday — the first eight-point game in the NHL since before the 22-year-old was born — would be a Haley's Comet sort of occurrence. There was just no way he could possibly pick up where he left off. Then he did. Giveaway Gagner"

Oilers win 5-4 in shootout

February 5

Edmonton Sun

"Technically, Sam Gagner is striding on water. And perhaps now that Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is no longer in need of divine intervention, the Edmonton Oilers forward is getting a little help from above. That's one way explain the run Gagner is currently on collecting another three points and adding a shootout goal Saturday night in a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored the shootout winner, while Devan Dubnyk turned away five of the six Red Wing to collect his third consecutive win. 'Great play' "My first chance was a quality one and I was able to put it in," said Gagner. "Even after that, I just put the puck on net and (Jordan) Eberle makes a great"

Gagner trying to 'stay as even-keeled" as possible after historic eight-point night

February 4

Edmonton Journal

"At first, Sam Gagner was dubious that Wayne Gretzky had sent him a text after he had put away an astounding eight points in the Edmonton Oilers' 8-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. He read the congratulatory message, saw that it was signed '99', but it wasn't until he verified the number that he realized Gretzky really was among his hundreds of well-wishers. Gagner, who tied the franchise record for points in a game, held by both Gretzky and Paul Coffey, said that he had 60 texts after the game, and another 50 the next day. Before he headed out for Friday's practice, he even intercepted a phone call from Coffey. "I'm just trying to stay as even-keeled as I can," said"

Should they stay or should they go?

February 4

Edmonton Journal

columnist John MacKinnon

"In the wake of Sam Gagner's marvellous eight-point night against the Blackhawks, there was much chatter about the asking price for him either going sharply up, or his coming off the NHL trade market altogether. A better question, three weeks out from the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline, might be: Was the 22-year-old centre ever on offer to begin with? The answer very likely is no, especially since Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is all about step-by-step development and having the patience to stick with that process. Speaking of process, Tambellini met with his pro scouting staff on Friday in Edmonton as part of the preparation for the trade deadline. Now, one game, however spectacular, is just one"

Oilers the picture of health

February 4

Edmonton Sun

"Never mind the game sheet from Sam Gagner's eight-point night against Chicago, save today's NHL injury report. It's a keeper. As far as rare collectibles go, it's right up there with a picture of Bigfoot making out with Elvis. With the return of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Saturday's game with Detroit, the Oilers are one player away — Tom Gilbert, who is due back any day now — from being the healthiest team in the NHL. "It's unbelievable," said defenceman Ladislav Smid. "We're finally going to be healthy, have 100% of our lineup. Now we can show what we can do." If you've followed this snake-bitten club over the last four years, Edmonton emerging as the healthiest team in the league is like"

Oilers Gagner still in spotlight

February 4

Edmonton Sun

"More than anything, the town needed it. Four games ago, before the players chose to save Tom Renney from spending the rest of the season coaching from the edge of a cliff, with three wins at home and a loser point in Vancouver, Edmonton fans were running out of patience. Oilers fans were having a difficult time focusing on the future. But then they experienced Sam Gagner's night of nights — four goals and four assists, for an Edmonton Oilers NHL record-equaling eight-points — and the future came back into focus. "The town?" said coach Tom Renney. "Start with the team. The team really needed it. "It could be as galvanizing a moment as we'll have this year. This might be one of those moments"

Hawks wound salted by Oilers

February 3

Edmonton Sun

"The Edmonton Oilers were downplaying the revenge factor heading into Thursday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. After all, the two teams have already faced each other once since the Oilers hammered the Blackhawks 9-2 in their previous encounter at Rexall Place. "I don't think past results have anything to do with what's going to happen," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney before the game. "If that motivates them, then great, but they're a good team and they know it. We have to be as good as we can possibly be to beat these guys.""

Hawks wound salted by Oilers

February 3

Edmonton Sun

"The Edmonton Oilers were downplaying the revenge factor heading into Thursday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks. After all, the two teams have already faced each other once since the Oilers hammered the Blackhawks 9-2 in their previous encounter at Rexall Place. "I don't think past results have anything to do with what's going to happen," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney before the game. "If that motivates them, then great, but they're a good team and they know it. We have to be as good as we can possibly be to beat these guys.""

Positive night for Oilers' Whitney

February 3

Edmonton Sun

"Ryan Whitney played with one of the best in the game in Sidney Crosby, but never witness what occurred Thursday night. Despite having a stellar night of his own, Whitney was in awe of Sam Gagner's accomplishment, collecting eight points in an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. "I think Crosby has six points once, but we had eight or nine goals that game," Whitney said. "I've never seen a team score eight goals and he's in on all of them. I'll probably never see that again and probably none of us will ever see that again. It was unbelievable.""

Gagner's eight-point outing one for the record books

February 3

Edmonton Journal

columnist John MacKinnin

"For one unforgettable night a little 1980s magic was back at Rexall Place, most of it being made by Sam Gagner. Make that a lot of magic, actually, a dazzling eight-point show for the likable forward, who finished with a five-point third-period flourish. Both the eight points in a game and the five-point period tied franchise records. The 22-year-old Gagner scored four times and assisted on the Edmonton Oilers other goals as they outskilled the high-octane Chicago Blackhawks 8-4. That made it three wins in their last four for the Oilers, who have collected seven of the last available eight points."

Oilers 8, Blackhawks 4: Crawford gets hook as Edmonton pulls away in third

February 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"When you're a team with the talent and depth of the Blackhawks, looking at the standings and finding yourself in fourth place never is a comfortable feeling. But the feeling the Hawks were left with after another shellacking in Rexall Place at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers — an 8-4 loss Thursday that echoed the 9-2 beatdown they suffered in late November — was decidedly worse. "Forget about payback, forget about all that stuff," Jonathan Toews said afterward. "We just didn't do the right things at all again. It was an easy game for their top players, we let them do whatever they wanted — tap in goals, left and right. We hung our goaltenders out to dry.""

It's deja vu as Oilers blast Hawks 8-4

February 3

Chicago Tribune

"In a couple of months when the Blackhawks look back on how the Western Conference postseason race unfolded, they just might focus on their efforts against the Oilers this season. And they likely will cringe, shake their heads and wonder "What if?" The Hawks fell to the Oilers for the third time this season as Sam Gagner had an historic night with eight points, including four goals en route to his first career hat trick, in leading the Oilers to an 8-4 victory Thursday at Rexall Place."

Source: Rangers on Smyth's radar

February 3

New York Post

"If general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton's veteran left wing to bolster the Rangers' attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned. A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway. The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in their last nine games and have been limited to two goals or fewer in 20 of their 49 matches, are seeking to add both"

Nugent-Hopkins pain-free after contact skate

February 3

Edmonton Sun

"Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took another step on the road back into the Edmonton Oilers lineup on Wednesday. The Oilers rookie passed Tom Renney's fitness test, then took part in a full-contact practice with the team for the first time since injuring his shoulder. It is expected Nugent-Hopkins will make his return to the lineup Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings. "His test was good, there was almost no drop-off," said Renney. "We'll see how he does in the morning. I'm very cautious there. He had no pain (Wednesday) but that's his first day of contact and bumping and being involved with that part of it. I'm thinking he won't play (Thursday) but we'll see.""

8 points for Sam Gagner in Oil win

February 3

Edmonton Sun

"If the Chicago Blackhawks left Edmonton in a huff last time because the Oilers were trying for 10, imagine how they felt on Thursday, when ONE GUY almost did it. Of course, it's tough for any team to keep pace with one of the most astonishing games the NHL has ever seen, so maybe they shouldn't feel so bad about losing 8-4 to a 22-year-old centre. Making their first visit to Edmonton since they were trounced 9-2 here in November, the Blackhawks ran into a determined little piece of history named Sam Gagner, who almost single-handedly dismantled the Hawks with four goals and four assists to join Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey as the only other Oilers to register eight-point nights."

Returning Oilers take their U turn

February 2

Edmonton Journal

"It is called the U-test, and the Edmonton Oilers who have taken it do not speak of it fondly. "It puts fear in everyone," said defenceman Ryan Whitney. The test is a signature of head coach Tom Renney, and any Oiler returning from an injury has to take it. Simulating 45-second shifts, it is a leg-burning exercise that Renney uses to determine whether or not a player is physically ready to move back into the lineup. "If you don't pass, you're just ready to start crying," said Whitney. "It's four shifts of 45-50 seconds with three minutes rest. And three minutes sounds a lot longer than it is. You can't have a drop off of one to two seconds from the first to the fourth, which is what makes"

Blackhawks' Ray Emery hasn't forgotten last Edmonton trip

February 2

Chicago Sun-Times

"Ray Emery remembers the feeling. The last time the Blackhawks were in Edmonton, Emery spoke after a 9-2 shellacking at the hands of the Oilers about how he and his team needed to remember what that night felt like. They didn't want it to happen again. "I remember, for sure," said Emery, who allowed seven of the nine goals in the Nov. 19 game but has rebounded to win eight of his 11 starts since. "That was a tough game, and I don't think I've had a game like that in my career before. Not just the nine goals, but the way it was, too. It seemed like there wasn't much of a fight put up.""

Positives found in Oilers win

February 1

Edmonton Sun

"If you're looking for positives — and not many are when a team is in 29th place of a 30-team league at this stage of the season — there were a few in the Oilers' 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Not a cause for a parade, any of them, but … You should know that the Edmonton Oilers have now put points in the standings back-to-back-to back games — three consecutive games — for the first time since Oct. 28, 30 and Nov. 3. "There was the All-Star break in the middle, I'm not sure that counts" said Devan Dubnyk, who was in goal for all three. He now has a 5-2 record at home this season, with an 8-11-1 record for the year including a 2.83 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage."

Cornet makes most of Oilers debut

February 1

Edmonton Sun

"Philippe Cornet made his first shift a quick one, then his second one count as the Edmonton Oilers prospect made his NHL debut Tuesday. Cornet, 21, collected an assist on the Oilers' first goal of the night as they went on to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. "I felt pretty good out there for the first game," said Cornet. "Playing with players like (Jordan) Eberle and (Sam) Gagner helps. "On that first goal, it was great work by Gagner on the cycle and it was great work by Eberle to finish it off. It feels good, I wasn't expecting to have a point in my first game, but I'll take it for sure.""

Belanger pursues lucky No. 13

February 1

Edmonton Journal

columnist John MacKinnon

"Eric Belanger didn't just shoot the puck into an opponent's net Tuesday night for the first time all season, he made it look easy, natural as you please. Since it was just the second goal all year for the capable 34-year-old veteran two-way centre, rest assured the goals have not come easily in his first season with the Edmonton Oilers. Which has been most unnatural for Belanger, not to mention an increasingly irksome burden."

Oilers' Dubnyk gets his shot

February 1

Edmonton Journal

"The door has swung open for Devan Dubnyk — wide open — given that Edmonton Oilers head coach Tom Renney has declared that it is now a case of "win and you're in." Dubnyk made his third straight start in net on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. "Even though it's a team game, you want to seize the opportunity and run with it. That's what great goaltenders do," said Renney. "With the exception of a handful of teams, everyone does have a clear-cut No. 1 guy. The opportunity is there.""

Avs lose again with Varlamov in net, this time to Edmonton Oilers, 3-2

February 1

Denver Post

"Well rested and seemingly well positioned to get back in the win column against the second-worst team in the NHL's Western Conference, Tuesday night's return to the crease proved to be an opportunity lost for the Avalanche and goaltender Semyon Varlamov in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. "Now it's post all-star break, and I believe there's another gear you need to get too. Much like if you're a team that makes the playoffs. In order for us to achieve what we want to achieve as a team, we have to find that next gear right now," Avs coach Joe Sacco said before the game."

Oilers hitting reset button

January 31

Edmonton Sun

"If this team isn't rockin', then they'll deserve some knockin'. Well rested, playing at home and with the last of their injured players inching closer to health, the Edmonton Oilers are out of excuses and determined to make some noise down the NHL stretch. They have been given a fresh start and if they don't make something of it, it's on them. "That's the way we're looking at it," said winger Taylor Hall. "We're not going to quit by any means. Not one guy in this locker room is going to give up on the season. "For all of us, we're excited to have a fresh start and a fresh mindset and come back and do the best we can.""

What should happen with Theo Peckham, whose game has gone awry?

January 31

Edmonton Journal

"Oilers defenceman Theo Peckham often goes for the big hit, only to pull himself out of proper position, thus leaking scoring chances against his own team. Peckham often pinches at the wrong moment or fails to position himself correctly to break up opposition rushes or cross-ice passes. He's a fierce hitter and checker — much to the delight of many fans — and he's also OK with the puck on his stick, but he beats himself with mental errors, improper reads. Worst of all, he seems to be regressing. For instance, every single Edmonton Oilers penalty killer, save for Peckham, is doing better on an individual basis this year compared to last year (see charts below)."

Eberle drinks in lessons of all-star game

January 31

Edmonton Journal

"After playing sightseer, autograph-seeker, and wing on the fourth line, Jordan Eberle said his first trip to the NHL's all-star game was an experience he won't soon forget. While his teammates scattered to sunnier destinations, the Edmonton Oilers sophomore headed to Ottawa. Fitting really. In his draft year, the class of 2008 headed to Scotiabank Place. One year after the Oilers selected Eberle in the first round, he returned to the rink for the 2009 world junior championship, and helped Canada capture gold."

Oilers aim to not give up on season despite dismal record

January 31

Edmonton Journal

"Not even a handful of days away could change the cold hard facts awaiting the Edmonton Oilers when they returned to Rexall Place on Monday. The Oilers have 33 games remaining, starting with a visit from the Colorado Avalanche tonight. They are so far back of the Western Conference playoff pack that they would have to win 25 of those games to make the playoffs — presuming they also get three overtime points and that 94 ends up being the cut-off mark. So the task has become less daunting. The Oilers have instead set their sights on catching the 28th-place Anaheim Ducks."

Oilers: The Next Generation

January 30

Edmonton Sun

"Is the next Oilers head coach here? Or the next Edmonton general manager, too? Or both? Steve Tambellini, as first reported in the Edmonton Sun, is expected to be extended for another year or two as general manager. And Tom Renney will likely get a similar extension as coach if the Oilers return and play the way the team did for him in the last two games after the players contemplated the concept of him coaching from the edge of a cliff for the rest of the season. But the Oilers aren't just growing their own future players on the farm."

Back to the real NHL games

January 30

Ottawa Sun

columnist Chris Stevenson

"The days at the beach, as tweeted by Capitals defenceman Mike Green from the Cayman Islands, are over. The neon tans from Las Vegas will now start to fade. The NHL's feel-good weekend here — a resounding success which revolved around the emotional outpouring between Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and Senators fans — now becomes a fond memory. Ahead is a 30-game sausage grinder that is the rest of the NHL season. "You need the break whether you're here or somewhere else doing something different. This is a part of the season the guys really look forward to, just to recharge the battery," said Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. "When you get back from this break, you're re-energized and you"